Cochemiea CAPENSIS - Cape cochemiea, Mammillaria capensis, Mammillaria.
Cochemiea is a genus of plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising about 25 species growing in Mexico and the southern regions of the USA.
The genus is represented by plants with cylindrical, often solitary or branching stems covered with areoles bearing spines. Leaves are reduced to small tubercles. Stems can reach various sizes depending on the species.
Flowering occurs in spring and summer. Flowers are funnel-shaped, symmetrical, up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long and up to 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter, located at the top of the stem. Flower coloration varies from bright pink to red. After flowering, berry-like fruits containing small black seeds are formed.
Cape cochemiea is a columnar cactus with a slender cylindrical stem that can branch at the base with age, forming loose clusters. The surface is covered with well-defined conical tubercles, from whose areoles emerge slender white radial spines and 1-3 longer central ones, often hooked and reddish-brown. The overall coloration of the plant is light green, with a silvery tint from the dense covering of spines.
Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are relatively large, funnel-shaped, bright pink with a white or pale central zone, formed in the apical part of the stem. Fruits are oblong, red, containing small black seeds.